<i> The Walking Dead</i>: The Heart Wins, the Head Loses

Glenn is still a Houdini. Surviving by his escape artistry previously mentioned in my Huffpost October 30, 2015 blog titled, ": Michonne, a Leader Exemplar," about season 6 episode 3. The heart won.
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Glenn is still a Houdini. Surviving by his escape artistry previously mentioned in my Huffpost October 30, 2015 blog titled, "The Walking Dead: Michonne, a Leader Exemplar," about season 6 episode 3. The heart won.

Although shortly after the season 6 episode 3, titled, "Thank You," had ushered an avalanche of mixed reactions from both fans and critics, the recent airing of the resolution episode 7 titled, "Heads Up," also brought on equally the same. Even so, one fan of The Walking Dead while appearing as a guest with fellow guest Gale Anne Hurd exec. Producer both on Talking Dead, Ken Jeong, actor, comedian and former doctor, was nonetheless very satisfied with the storyline. When asked by host Chris Hardwick what he thought about Glenn's storyline, the actor said he was very pleased. Then Ken Jeong followed by saying that with other shows so often they will let things suspend at the very last minute of an episode, and then go into a hiatus, presumably till next season. With The Walking Dead, they do it differently. By resolving the fate of Glenn four episodes later further enables the story to build momentum. Allowing things to move forward. So while listening, I also agreed with Chris Hardwick that Ken Jeong had given a superb answer.

One online commenter had speculated a few weeks ago that The Walking Dead could make Glenn the new Sophia, 12-year-old Sophia Peletier. Carol's daughter who went missing in the season 2 premiere, only to be found reanimated six episodes later walking out of Hershel's barn. Yet with Glenn obviously that didn't happen.

Be that as it may, others were not satisfied with Glenn's storyline. Which also begs some fair questions. Have others already forgotten all about the dogged nimbleness of Glenn Rhee? Have they forgotten about episode 7 of season 3 when Glenn sets himself free to kill a walker after being tied to a chair and locked in a room by Merle Dixon? Have they forgotten about episode 11 of season 5, while at night it appeared that two walkers had the upper hand on Glenn, after being separated from Rick and Michonne as all three tried to find Aaron? Though soon afterwards Aaron canceled out all their suspicions. And last, have others forgotten season 5's finale when after Glenn takes a gunshot wound into his shoulder by Nicholas? Also in that scene, Nicholas jabs at Glenn's shoulder before abandoning Glenn after he sees three walkers appear, leaving Glenn to successfully fight them off while wounded.

Given all that, is it simply too hard to imagine that an athletically lean five-nine Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) could somehow escape a pack of walkers after the sacrificial death of Nicholas? Though not implying Glenn should be indestructible in a zombie apocalypse. Only as previously stated in my October 30th blog, though my head was saying Glenn died, my heart kept telling me otherwise, thinking that his body was shielded by Nicholas (Michael Traynor). Simply a reminder, that Glenn has a hallmark tenacious nimbleness about him that doesn't expire until he takes his last breath. Which obviously didn't happen in season 6 episode 3.

Furthermore, Glenn has evolved into what I would call as a warrior-poet. Having previously mentioned this in my Huffpost blog, "Fear The Walking Dead Pilot: Slow and Steady Does It," using Glenn as just another example as that part of the appeal of The Walking Dead characters is their character reinvention. And those of Fear The Walking Dead will be no different. Having been a pizza delivery driver, Glenn has evolved into a man of bravery and a tactical cunning leader, as well as a man of wisdom and grace. He would be very hard to lose to anyone.

Also, it was very fitting that host Chris Hardwick took the time to mention kudos to actor Michael Traynor for playing Nicholas. Such an act of due respect for playing such a reviled character, which was also similar to when it was reported that actress Yvette Nicole Brown took the time to come to actor Seth Gilliam's defense, as written about in, "'The Walking Dead,' Fan Premiere: A Complete Recap with Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, and Cast and Crew," by Alexa Harrison of Variety. During a question Seth Gilliam took about the character Father Gabriel, appearing with fellow cast and crew all on stage at New York's Madison Square Garden on October 9, 2015, it was written about that the crowd started booing. To which Ms. Brown who hosted the event quickly responded by saying, "Listen here, we will respect the actors on this stage." Let's all hope the crowd only meant to boo the character while not disrespecting Seth Gilliam. In any case, hats off to both Chris Hardwick, and also Yvette Nicole Brown.

And speaking of Father Gabriel, one of my favorite scenes in season 6 episode 7 was shortly after posting a sign for a prayer circle, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) silently walks past Gabriel to take the sign and shreds it, as a few others walking with Rick also watch silently. Followed by Father Gabriel putting up another sign. All without anyone saying a word. Further suggesting, that perhaps it may have to take Father Gabriel to one day get bit by a radioactive spider and change into a Marvel superhero Spiderman. Just a way of saying, that he would have to really step up for him to gain trust from both Rick's group and from Alexandrian leader Deanna (Tovah Feldshuh).

Scott M. Gimple, writer and showrunner of The Walking Dead, also appeared with Steven Yeun both while at Atlanta, Georgia via satellite on Talking Dead. When asked by Chris Hardwick why the storyline was constructed the way it appeared about Glenn's fate at the dumpster, Mr. Gimple explained that he wanted to do a story based on uncertainty. Basically saying that when living within the walls of Alexandria in a zombie apocalypse, and someone ventures out, you don't know if that person will ever come back. He stated that there are of course no cell phones, or one may also add there are no smartphones to engage in constant texting. Explaining that the story further enhances the ever present atmosphere of uncertainty, and to bring the audience to experiencing that uncertainty with Maggie (Lauren Cohan).

Another favorite scene is when both Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) have a meeting with Morgan (Lennie James). Carol (Melissa McBride) had informed Rick that Morgan did not kill the Wolves, who later tried to ambush Rick at the RV. Morgan explains his struggle to maintain the idea that all life is precious, and finishes by saying, "And I've thought about letting that idea go. But I don't want to." And that's when Michonne says, "You may have to." When the film Man of Steel came out, some critics were against the film only because towards the end, Superman kills fellow Kryptonian General Zod. Yet Superman had no choice, having Zod in a chokehold during a final climatic battle taking place in a grand central station, while Zod was about to cut a family of four in two backed into a corner with his searing heat vision. Morgan is going to have to somehow justify a potential loss of innocent life, or lives, be that from Rick's group or from the Alexandrians. And Michonne knows that Morgan can't. What a great episode.

Finally, I wish to express gratitude to Michael Satrazemis. Mr. Satrazemis, it was very gracious of you that a man of your professionalism and stature took the time to respond to my November 9, 2015 Huffpost blog titled, "The Walking Dead: Morgan's Way," posted before my blog about the Into The Badlands pilot. When Rachelle, who gives grateful counsel on my blogs on occasions, saw that it was you she was beside herself with glee. And that's not the first time I've mentioned you. For in another blog titled, "The Walking Dead: Season 5, Episode 15 Primes Drama Into Motion," I've mentioned in the last sentence that both you as the director and Angela Kang as the writer had contributed to such a great episode. Long live The Walking Dead.

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